Background

1. Survivors of Sexual Abuse and Animal Assisted Therapy: The Impact on Anxiety, Anger, and Depression in Group Therapy Holli Hutto, Social Work Dr. Harriet Cohen, Associate Professor of Social Work Diana Davis, Alliance For Children, LMSW Dr. Tracy Dietz, Associate Professor of Social Work Purpose The purpose of this study is to compare the impact of animal assisted therapy (AAT) on survivors of sexual abuse in relation to anxiety, anger, and depression in group therapy at Alliance For Children. • Background • Least reported form of child abuse, mostly because secrecy or silence is a common attribute in sexual abuse cases (CWLA). • Animals have the ability to be communication facilitators (Gonski, 1985). • AAT can provide an outlet for the child to more comfortably disclose any details of trauma (Justice, 2007). • Objectives • Analyze the impact on anxiety, anger, and depression in group therapy involving three types of groups: no AAT, AAT and AAT with coordinating curriculum. • Determine positive & negative impacts on variances among groups using AAT. • Examine the effectiveness of services currently used in regards to AAT at Alliance For Children. • Sample • 153 participants • Ages 6-17, Average age of 11 years old • 67 Hispanics, 55 Caucasians, 26 African Americans, 1 Native American, and 6 of an other race. • 143 females, 10 males • 116 survivors had no prior victimization, 33 did, and 4 were unknown • Limitations • Under reporting & Hyper reporting • Age of participants under 8 yrs with understanding TSCC • # of Male Participants • Discussion • A majority of all forms of therapeutic interventions (Group 1, 2, & 3) appeared to have positive effects after group intervention (pre test to post test) for all variables. • Group 2 (dog no curriculum) had positive effects on post test scores with anxiety, anger, and depression. • With all 3 variables AAT with a curriculum (Group 3) appear to be the most effective when comparing to the other groups ( 1 & 2). • The more involved with animals the groups were the more there were positive impacts on anxiety, anger, and depression with depression being the highest drop in score. • Further Research • More research on impact of age and race in relation to sexual abuse in group therapy with use of AAT is needed • Consideration for type, duration, and severity of sexual abuse should be noted and further studied • References • Child welfare league of america: child abuse prevention. Retrieved from • www.cwla.org/programs/health/healthtipscap.htm • Gonski, Y. (1985). The therapeutic utilization of canines in a child welfare setting. Child and adolescent social work journal, 93-105. • Justice, R. (2007). The use of animal assistance at child advocacy centers. • National center for prosecution of child abuse, 20(3). Findings • Methods • Data was collected from 2006-2008 by family advocates at AFC • The Trauma Symptom Checklist For Children (TSCC) was used for both the pre test and post test. • The TSCC results were scored according to variables • The data was then inputted into a coded sheet • All pre test and post tests score were then formulated from coded sheet and compared to each other for examination and analyzed